I am a child expert. I'm not an expert on children, mind you. I'm an expert on a child. One child. Mine. If you are reading this you are probably a child expert, too, or hoping to become one. When seeking advice from self-proclaimed child experts, remember to trust your instincts. There are exceptions to every rule, and no one knows your child better than you do--especially if you ascribe to the attachment parenting model.

I have read everything ever written by Socrates. This fact alone does not make me an expert on the subject, mostly because Socrates was too busy asking questions and conversing to take time to write anything down. He did have an equally famous and philosophical student, Plato, who took the time to write about his teacher's habit of always answering a question with a question. I've read Plato. Another of Socrates' students, Xenophon, was less of a philosopher himself, but also wrote about Socrates. I've read some Xenophon and continue to study all of the writings of Plato and Xenophon pertaining to Socrates.

LAURIE A. GRAY

Current/Recent Projects:

In addition to Socratic Parenting, I published an article entitled "When I Grow Up" in the Jan/Feb 2006 issue of Fort Wayne Woman. I also wrote a regular column "Laurie Gray: Inside the Law" for Fort Wayne Woman in 2006 responding to reader questions on the law.  Click on my "FW Woman" page tab above to read the article.

In November 2006, I completed a correspondence course through the Institute of Children's Literature with published author Marcia Amidon Lusted as my instructor. I am enjoying writing for children and receiving encouragement to publish my work in appropriate children's magazines.

I've finished my first young adult novel entitled Summer Sanctuary, two picture books Stop, Drop and Roll and Three of Me and the inspirational gift book My Token of Change.  I am currently working on a young adult novel set in ancient Greece entitled Just Myrto and based upon the life of Socrates' second wife. 

On Sunday morning, February 11, 2007, I awoke inspired by the idea of designing a coin and affirmation poem that would help people let go of what they don't want and think only about what they do want in their lives.  For more information, visit www.TokenofChange.com.   

Education:

INDIANA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW, Bloomington, IN; J.D. May 1993. GOSHEN COLLEGE, Goshen, IN; B.A. April 1986. Spanish Secondary Education Major, English Education Minor. Junior Year Abroad, University of Barcelona, Spain; Study Service Term in Costa Rica.

Experience:

MOTHER PRACTICING SOCRATIC PARENTING, September 2001 - Present; DEPUTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY, Felony Sex Crimes Division, Child Advocacy Center, February 2000 - March 2002; Part-time in Felony OWI, Misdemeanor, Drug Court Program & Juvenile Sex Crimes, November 2003 - Present; PRIVATE PRACTICE TRIAL ATTORNEY, October 1993 - February 2002; HIGH SCHOOL SPANISH TEACHER, August 1986 - June 1990.

Recommended books:

AWAKENING CHILDREN'S MINDS: How Parents and Teachers Can Make a Difference by Laura E. Berk.

THE DISCIPLINE BOOK, How to Have a Better-Behaved Child from Birth to Age Ten, by William Sears, M.D., and Martha Sears, R.N.

PROTECTING THE GIFT, Keeping Children and Teenagers Safe (and Parents Sane), by Gavin DeBecker

BETWEEN PARENT AND CHILD, by Dr. Haim G. Ginott; revised and updated by Dr. Alice Ginott & Dr. H. Wallace Goddard

THE FOUR AGREEMENTS, by Don Miguel Ruiz

A SHORT HISTORY OF NEARLY EVERYTHING, by Bill Bryson

I CAN DO IT:  How to Use Affirmations to Change Your Life, by Louise L. Hay (includes an Affirmation CD).

YOUR HEART'S DESIRE, Instructions for Creating the Life You Really Want, by Sonia Choquette

ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR BOAT:  A Guide for Living Life in the Divine Flow, by Steven Lane Taylor